News

Councillors call for people to be put in front of planning policy

WE must put people's lives in front of planning regulations, said councillors at a meeting of Wychavon District Council's planning committee as they discussed proposals to build 36 homes in Badsey.

The call came during a long debate surrounding proposals for the development of the new housing estate on land south of Bretforton Road in Badsey.

The scheme, by Stansgate Planning, faced opposition from both Badsey Parish Council and local man Steven Tarbutt who both raised concerns as to the safety of the Bretforton Road, the county's busiest road.

Parish councillor Elizabeth Noyes said: "Within the last two years there have been two fatalities on this small stretch and more further along. In 2007 part of the road was washed away and only two months ago there was month long flooding in the area."

Their concerns were counteracted by Rachel Best on behalf of the developers, who said the plans were all in flood zone 1 so were low risk and highlighted there were no objections by the highways department.

But members of the committee said they were in support of local people.

Councillor Reg Jakeman, who is the member for Badsey, said: "When does a category 1 village stop being sustainable? I feel Badsey has reached this point.

"It says they are within walking distance of the school. Sorry the school is full. The major shopping will be in Evesham not the village, it feels the shop will be overwhelmed by the number of residents Badsey has got."

Cllr Barrie Parmenter asked: "When does enough become enough as far as Wychavon is concerned, surely we should be backing up the locals here."

And Cllr Judy Pearce added: "Let's please say stop. I think the camel's back is broken."

Despite their pleas councillors were advised there were no legitimate planning reasons to refuse the proposals that would stand up at appeal by the head of planning Georgio Framalicco.

But Cllr Keith Wright, who has a business in the village, said: "If it comes to putting people's lives in front of the five year land supply I am sorry but people win."